FROM INFINEUM INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

New

DRIVELINE

07 NOVEMBER 2023

New opportunities as
CVT fleet grows
Key role for advanced fluids optimised to
meet continuously variable transmission
performance requirements

To deliver improved efficiency along with the great

acceleration and a smooth driving experience customers
expect, some OEMs have introduced continuously variable
transmissions (CVTs) into both their conventional internal
combustion engine and hybrid vehicle models. Shunichi
Sakai, Infineum Operational Marketing Manager, assesses
 the market and explains how advanced CVT-specific fluids
will be needed to service the growing CVT-equipped vehicle
fleet.

Only a just over a decade ago, new light-duty production

was dominated by vehicles containing manual and stepped
automatic transmissions with four to six forward gears. But,
the quest for improved fuel economy has driven innovation
in this area and the number of gears has risen to between
seven and ten and there has also been an increase in the
use of alternative systems, including continuously variable
and dual clutch transmissions (DCT). Today, the global
transmissions market picture is increasingly diverse, a trend
that is expected to continue with the growth of dedicated
hybrid (DHT) and reduction (RED) systems for electrified
vehicles.
CVT trends
CVTs, are automatic transmissions that use two variator
pulleys and a push belt or chain instead of a planetary gear
set. This gives an unlimited number of gear ratios, leading to
seamless power delivery along with negligible torque
interruption and power loss. The technology is popular with
OEMs because it is small and light vs. manual and
automatic alternatives and also gives fuel economy benefits.
In addition, it is a good match for the typically small or mid-
sized engines used in some regions and provides the
smoother driving experience, good acceleration and fuel
efficiency end users demand.

However, there are significant regional variations in the

uptake of each transmissions type. While North America has
remained a largely stepped automatic transmission (AT)
market and in Europe manual transmissions are still popular,
we have seen growth in CVT installations in most regions.

According to data from S&P Global, just over 15% of light

duty global transmissions installations in 2022 were CVTs,
which are especially popular in China, Japan and Korea.
Looking ahead, although production is forecast to dip as the
use of DHT and RED in electrified powertrains increases, in
2030 more than five and a half million CVT installations are
expected. Several automotive manufacturers currently offer
vehicles fitted with CVTs. And, while Honda and Toyota are
clear leaders, other OEMs, including Nissan, Subaru, GM
and Audi, also supply the technology.

This continued use of CVT in light-duty applications, and

anticipated growth in North America, means that by 2028,
over 140 million of the estimated 1.8 billion vehicles on the
world’s roads could be expected to contain a CVT. This
large and growing vehicle parc means that the market for
CVT service fill fluids particularly in China, Japan, Korea and
North America could be expected to grow.
Comparing the fluid requirements of the different automatic
transmission systems side by side we can see a number of
key differences. The most notable for CVT is the major
requirement for steel on steel friction performance.
It is clearly important for CVT fluids to be optimised for a
number of different performance parameters compared to
fluids designed for AT and DCT applications. In addition to
the requirements indicated in the table, CVT fluids must also
be capable of operating over a broad temperature range.

To achieve all of these attributes requires a careful

formulation balance. CVT fluids require precisely tuned
friction control, balancing paper on steel and steel on steel
friction, to ensure that when delivering the anti-shudder
durability there is no sacrifice to steel on steel performance.

Infineum CVT additive technology

provides broad coverage by leveraging
balanced friction performance and
delivers performance similar to most
factory fill CVT fluids.

This performance has been proven in several key OEM

applications employing both chain and push belt systems. In
bench and in over 300,000 miles of field testing in six
different vehicle types our technology performed better than
or equal to the factory fill reference – delivering excellent
steel on steel friction, anti-shudder and clutch friction
durability.
Supporting decarbonisation
As OEMs work to decarbonise they are looking for further
improvements to vehicle fuel economy performance. CVT
fluids need to provide performance characteristics that help
to reduce energy loss through better viscosity profiles, while
still delivering sufficient wear protection to the steel on steel
surfaces. The challenge for transmission fluid producers is
to combine as many of these desired characteristics as
possible into one fluid.

In tests, Infineum additive technology in a low viscosity CVT

fluid formulation has delivered similar wear protection
performance as the reference OEM CVT fluid.

The pace of powertrain electrification in light-duty vehicles is

accelerating in support of OEM’s decarbonisation ambitions.
A number of manufacturers are using electrified CVTs in a
variety of configurations in their hybrid models, where most
currently use standard CVT fluids.

In our view, applications where the CVT

fluid is in contact with an integrated
motor bring new lubricant challenges,
including the need to ensure oxidation
control, materials compatibility and
good electrical properties.

In tests, Infineum additive technology has delivered similar

oxidation control, volume resistivity and copper corrosion
performance as the reference OEM factory fill CVT fluid
used for e-CVT applications.

As OEMs continue to assess the best ways to decarbonise,

the future hardware picture looks increasingly diverse.
Conventional ICEs and hybrids powered by zero-carbon
fuels, such as hydrogen, could join the current mix of
gasoline, diesel and electric vehicles in the global vehicle
parc of the future. Whatever transmission hardware routes
OEMs take in support of their emissions reduction and
 decarbonisation commitments, Infineum CVT additive
technology will continue to ensure fluid technology keeps
pace with the changing needs of this increasingly complex
market.

‘INFINEUM’, the interlocking Ripple Device, the corporate mark comprising INFINEUM and the interlocking Ripple
Device and 润英联 are trademarks of Infineum International Limited. © 2023 Infineum International Limited. All rights
reserved.